Nobody expects that they will end up going through a divorce. However, there are times when you may need a Simi Valley divorce lawyer to help you through a tough time. The outcome of a divorce can affect many aspects of your life, from your financial stability to parental rights. At the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, our certified family law specialists are ready to get to work negotiating on your behalf. You do not have to do this alone.
Divorces are complex
Divorce is not uncommon, though it is not something anyone plans on going through. When it happens, you need to understand that there are complexities involved that often require an attorney’s assistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the US divorce rate for the latest reporting year was 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people.
California is notoriously bad about publishing divorce rate data, but when we use the Statistical Atlas to look at the local statistics, we can see that12% of the Simi Valley population is divorced, which is higher than many of the surrounding areas, including Los Angeles.
When you are going through a divorce, whether contested or uncontested, there are a variety of issues that need to be settled before the divorce can be finalized. These include:
- The distribution of assets equitably between the parties
- The separation of any debts the couple has
- Spousal maintenance payments
- Child custody and child support if there are minor children
- Visitation for a non-custodial parent
For a contested divorce, one in which one or both parties do not agree on the issues at hand, the process can become contentious. An attorney acts as your advocate throughout the entire process. It is better to have someone handle negotiations of these matters for you. Being emotionally entangled can cloud a person’s judgment and make the process much tougher.
As you can see, divorce is a very lengthy and emotional process for many people. More often than not, people are not sure about what their rights are and what their obligations are within the divorce context. In California, all assets and debts in a marriage are subject to equitable distribution between both sides. Equitable distribution translates to the help and deficits between the two parties diplomatically. There may also be support from one party to the other. This includes child support, spousal support, alimony, or both.
What Can One Expect When Filing For Divorce?
The divorce process is somewhat confusing. However, that doesn’t make it less important where you neglect to seek legal representation. You want the proper assistance as you navigate through the court system. Protecting your rights is exceptionally crucial. Contact the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch to speak with an experienced Simi Valley divorce attorney about your situation today.
In California, filing for divorce requires proof of residency. Otherwise, the court can refuse to accept the case if the court learns that the case does not have jurisdictional rights that are grounds for dismissal.
There are two types of divorce, fault and no-fault. Under the no-fault grounds of divorce entails irreconcilable differences when a marriage breakdown occurs for as long as six months. It is usually evident during this time frame that the marriage dissolves, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. Another aspect of no-fault involves the two parties living separately and apart for 18 months.
The fault grounds encompass the following:
- Extreme physical or mental cruelty makes it unreasonable to expect cohabitation between the two parties.
- Adultery exists when one party rejects the other by entering into a personal, intimate relationship with another individual.
- Deviant sexual conduct happens when the defendant engages in deviant sexual conduct without the consent of the plaintiff spouse. Regardless of specific sexual acts, the spouse’s rejection aligns with marriage intimately, which constitutes adultery.
- Desertion is one spouse’s willful and continued desertion for one year or more.
- An addiction involves dependence on narcotics or other forms of dangerous substances for at least one year.
- The institutionalization of one spouse for one year or more for a mental illness.
- Imprisonment is a ground for divorce and occurs when a spouse is in jail for eighteen or more months after the marriage.
Do I Need An Attorney To File For An Uncontested Divorce?
It doesn’t matter if you and your spouse are in complete and total agreement on the terms of your divorce; it is still in your best interest to consult with a lawyer. Reiterating that the divorce process is complex and challenging should tell you that it can be easy to overlook financial considerations or other issues. The Simi Valley divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch can assist you and make sure that you and your spouse are on the same page. There is no need to worry about running into costly complications after the divorce.
What about mediation?
Mediation is not required in a Simi Valley divorce, but there are times when the court could order the spouses to undergo mandatory mediation, particularly when there are disputes over child custody.
Even if mediation is not ordered, it can be a less stressful way for both sides to come to an agreement over the issues listed above. The team at the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch is ready to help you with your mediation needs.
Modifications may be necessary
A family law attorney will also be useful if you are seeking modifications to child support, child custody, visitation, or spousal maintenance payments.
Let us get to work on your case today
You should not try to handle an entire divorce case by yourself. These cases can become incredibly complex, and one misstep can lead to years of difficulties. At the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, we are prepared to help you with all aspects of your divorce case. Our family law specialists will be by your side, ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout the entire process. When you need a Simi Valley divorce attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation or by calling 818-237-4574.